Guzmania plant named &#39;DURAPRI&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of Guzmania plant named ‘DURAPRI’ which is characterized by the combination of a flattened globular plant profile with foliage arranged in an attractive rosette, relatively short foliage with a dark green upper surface and a greyed-purple lower surface, an inflorescence with a rounded profile, born on a short peduncle, an inflorescence with red floral bracts which are tipped white, and the stability of all characteristics from generation to generation.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to the Community Plant Variety Rights application number 2017/1807, filed Jul. 18, 2017, which is herein incorporated by reference.

Latin name of the genus and species: The Latin name of the genus and species of the novel variety disclosed herein is Guzmania lingulata.

Variety denomination: The inventive variety of Guzmania disclosed herein has been given the variety denomination ‘DURAPRI’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Parentage: The Guzmania variety ‘DURAPRI’ is a seedling selection which resulted from a controlled pollination breeding program. In July of 2007, the inventor performed the controlled cross-pollination of Guzmania lingulata ‘Fortuna’ (not patented), the seed parent, and an unnamed miniature form of Guzmania lingulata ‘El Cope’ (not patented), the pollen parent, at a commercial greenhouse in Alajuela, Costa Rica. Those skilled in the art recognize that Guzmania seed can be difficult to germinate. Therefore, in November of 2007, the seed that resulted from the cross of July 2007 in Alajuela, Costa Rica were shipped by the inventor to a tissue culture laboratory in Evergem, Belgium for in vitro seed germination in order to increase the germination rate. At the direction of the inventor, the resulting seedlings were grown for 6 months to evaluate plant vigor and then shipped back to Alajuela, Costa Rica for further evaluation by the inventor. In November of 2008, the inventor selected one seedling for commercial production due to its unique growth habit and flower characteristics. This new and distinctive cultivar was given the name ‘DURAPRI’.

Asexual Reproduction: ‘DURAPRI’ was first asexually propagated by meristematic tissue culture in January of 2014 at a commercial laboratory in Evergem, Belgium and has since been asexually propagated through 3 additional generations. Through subsequent generations, the unique features of this cultivar are stable and reproduced true to type.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘DURAPRI’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions and the phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environment such as temperature, day length, and light intensity, without, however, any variance in genotype. The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique characteristics of ‘DURAPRI’. These characteristics, in combination, distinguish ‘DURAPRI’ as a new and distinct Guzmania cultivar:

-   -   1. Guzmania ‘DURAPRI’ exhibits a flattened globular plant         profile with foliage arranged in an attractive rosette; and     -   2. Guzmania ‘DURAPRI’ exhibits relatively short foliage with a         dark green upper surface and a greyed-purple lower surface; and     -   3. Guzmania ‘DURAPRI’ exhibits an inflorescence with a rounded         profile, born on a short peduncle; and     -   4. Guzmania ‘DURAPRI’ exhibits an inflorescence with red floral         bracts which are tipped white.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 illustrates, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make the same in color photographs of this type, an exemplary plant of ‘DURAPRI’ grown in a commercial greenhouse in Evergem, Belgium. This plant is approximately 18 month old, shown planted in a 9 cm container.

FIG. 2 illustrates, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make the same in color photographs of this type, the typical adaxial surface of the mature foliage of ‘DURAPRI’.

FIG. 3 illustrates, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make the same in color photographs of this type, the typical abaxial surface of the mature foliage of ‘DURAPRI’.

FIG. 4 illustrates, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make the same in color photographs of this type, the typical inflorescence of ‘DURAPRI’.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following observations and measurements made in June of 2017 describe averages from a sample set of six specimens of 12 month-old ‘DURAPRI’ plants grown in 8 cm nursery pots at a commercial greenhouse in Evergem, Belgium. Plants were grown under light maximum light levels of approximately 12,000 lux. Plants were maintained with a fertigation program and regularly watered with overhead irrigation. No chemical pest measures were taken.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that certain characteristics will vary with older or, conversely, with younger plants. ‘DURAPRI’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. Where dimensions, sizes, colors and other characteristics are given, it is to be understood that such characteristics are approximations or averages set forth as accurately as practicable. The phenotype of the variety may differ from the descriptions set forth herein with variations in environmental, climactic and cultural conditions. Color notations are based on The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, The Royal Horticultural Society, London, 2015 (sixth edition).

A botanical description of ‘DURAPRI’ and a comparison with the parent plants and most similar variety of Guzmania are provided below.

-   Plant description:     -   -   Growth habit.—Perennial; monopodial; broad, upright. Leaves             arranged in a basal rosette, with no lateral branching, and             the inflorescence growing from the center of the basal             rosette.         -   Plant form.—Flattened globular.         -   Average height.—13.0 cm, from the soil level to the top of             the foliar plane, and 16.5 to the top of the floral plane.         -   Plant spread.—Average of 31.0 cm.         -   Growth rate.—Low.         -   Plant vigor.—Low to moderate.         -   Propagation type.—Mericloning.         -   Time to initiate roots.—Approximately 14 days to initiate             roots at 22 degrees Celsius.         -   Time to produce a finished plant.—Approximately 12 months             are needed to produce a marketable plant in an 8 cm             container.         -   Pest resistance and susceptibility.—Not any more or less             tolerant or susceptible to pests or diseases known to effect             Guzmania.         -   Temperature tolerances.—USDA Zones 10 to 12; at least             tolerant of temperatures to 40 degrees Celsius. High             tolerance to rain inundation; high tolerance to wind. -   Root system:     -   -   General.—Thick; medium density.         -   Texture.—Slightly fleshy. -   Foliage:     -   -   Arrangement.—Rosulate. No stems or lateral branches, the             leaves form a stem-like structure not consisting of a stem             as such, but only consisting of the leaf sheaths.         -   Attachment.—Sheathed.         -   Division.—Simple.         -   Quantity of leaves.—16.         -   Lamina.—Dimensions — 23.8 cm long and 3.0 cm wide. Thickness             — Approximately 0.9 cm. Shape of blade — Ensiform. Aspect —             Slightly concave. Attitude — Moderately reflexed. Apex —             Apiculate. Base — Sheathing. Margin — Entire; not undulated.             Pubescence, texture and luster of adaxial surface —             Glabrous, smooth and matte. Pubescence, texture and luster             of abaxial surface — Glabrous, smooth and slightly glossy.             Color — Juvenile foliage, adaxial surface — Yellow-green,             nearest to in between RHS 147A and 147B; middle section is             greyed-purple, nearest to RHS N186C; fading lighter towards             the base, nearest to RHS 184A. Juvenile foliage, abaxial             surface — Greyed-purple, nearest to RHS N186C; fading             lighter towards the base, nearest to RHS 184A. Mature             foliage, adaxial surface — Green, nearest to RHS NN137B;             fading to yellow-green towards the base, nearest to in             between RHS 152A and 152B. Mature foliage, abaxial surface —             Greyed-purple, nearest to RHS N186C. Venation — Pattern —             Parallel. Mature foliage venation, adaxial surface — Green,             nearest to RHS NN137B; veins at the base are greyed-purple,             nearest to RHS 184A. Mature foliage venation, abaxial             surface — Greyed-purple, nearest to RHS N186C, and darker             towards the base, nearest to RHS 184A.         -   Sheath.—Sheath length — Average 6.4 cm. Sheath width —             Average 6.3 cm. Sheath color — In between greyed-yellow and             greyed-brown, nearest to RHS 161A and 199D, respectively;             veined greyed-purple, nearest to a combination of RHS 183A             and 183B. -   Inflorescence:     -   -   Inflorescence arrangement.—Terminal spike with showy bracts             and an average of 26 flowers.         -   Natural flowering season.—Continuously.         -   Time to flower.—Approximately 6 months.         -   Inflorescence quantity.—One.         -   Flowers per inflorescence.—Average of 26, with 10 open             flower and 16 in bud stage and not opening.         -   Inflorescence height.—Approximately 6.1 cm (measured from             base of lowest flower to top of upper flower).         -   Inflorescence diameter.—Average of 4.2 cm, excluding bracts,             and 6.0 cm with bracts.         -   Peduncle.—Dimensions — Approximately 10.2 cm long and 0.8 cm             in diameter. Aspect — Vertical. Strength — Strong. Texture             and luster — Glabrous, smooth, and very slightly glossy.             Color — White, RHS NN155B. -   Bud:     -   -   Length.—Average of 1.7 cm.         -   Diameter.—Average of 0.4 cm.         -   Shape.—Lanceolate.         -   Texture and luster.—Glabrous, smooth, and moderately glossy.         -   Color.—White, nearest to RHS NN155B. -   Flower:     -   -   Flower type and form.—Single; oblanceolate to narrow oblong.         -   Attachment.—Sessile.         -   Aspect.—Upright.         -   Flowering habit.—Freely flowering; continuous.         -   Height.—Approximately 0.6 cm.         -   Diameter.—Average of 0.6 cm.         -   Depth.—Approximately 3.1 cm.         -   Floral throat.—diameter 0.2 cm.         -   Floral throat texture.—Glabrous; smooth.         -   Diameter of floral tube.—0.2 cm.         -   Length of floral tube.—2.2 cm.         -   Floral tube texture, outer and inner surfaces.—Glabrous;             smooth.         -   Fragrance.—No fragrance.         -   Lastingness.—4 weeks.         -   Persistent.—Persistent.         -   Petals.—Quantity of Petals — 3. Arrangement — Rotate; single             whorl of fused petals with the proximal 75% of the petals             fused. Length — Approximately 2.8 cm. Width — Approximately             0.4 cm. Shape — Narrow spatulate; concave. Apex — Obtuse.             Base — Fused into a tube. Margin — Entire; not undulated.             Pubescence, texture and luster of upper surface — Glabrous,             smooth and matte. Pubescence, texture and luster of lower             surface — Glabrous, smooth and very slightly glossy. Color             when opening, upper surface — White, nearest to in between             RHS 155A and 155B. Color when opening, lower surface —             White, nearest to in between RHS 155A and 155B. Color when             fully opened, upper surface — White, nearest to in between             RHS 155A and 155B. Color when fully opened, lower surface —             White, nearest to in between RHS 155A and 155B. Fading,             upper surface — Not fading. Fading, lower surface — Not             fading. Venation color, fully opened, upper surface — No             venation is visible. Venation color, fully opened, lower             surface — No venation is visible. Floral throat color —             White, nearest to in between RHS 155A and 155B. Floral             throat venation color — No venation is visible. Floral tube             color, when fully opened — Yellow-white, nearest to RHS             158D. Floral tube venation color — No venation is visible.         -   Calyx.—Shape — Rotate. Length — Average of 1.7 cm. Diameter             — Average of 0.6 cm.         -   Sepals.—Quantity — 3 unfused sepals in a single whorl.             Arrangement — Rotate. Length — 1.7 cm. Width — 0.4 cm. Shape             — Lanceolate. Apex — Acute. Base — Cuneate. Margin — Entire.             Pubescence, texture and luster of upper surface — Glabrous,             smooth, and matte. Pubescence, texture and luster of lower             surface — Glabrous, smooth, and slightly glossy. Color when             opening, upper surface — White, nearest to in between RHS             155A and 155B. Color when opening, lower surface — White,             nearest to in between RHS 155A and 155B. Color when fully             opened, upper surface — White, nearest to in between RHS             155A and 155B. Color when fully opened, lower surface —             White, nearest to in between RHS 155A and 155B.         -   Bract.—General — One large, colorful bract at the base of             each individual flower. Quantity — Average of 15. Shape —             Broad ovate to broad oblong; concave. Dimensions — Average             of 4.2 cm long, including the sheath, and 1.9 cm wide. Apex             — Obtuse. Base — Broad cuneate. Margins — Entire. Texture             and luster, upper surface — Smooth and moderately glossy.             Texture and luster, lower surface — Smooth and moderately             glossy. Uppermost immature bract color, upper surface — Red,             nearest to RHS 44A, and fading lighter towards the base,             nearest to RHS 44C; apex is white, nearest to RHS NN155D.             Uppermost immature bract color, lower surface — Red, nearest             to RHS 44B, and fading lighter towards the base, nearest to             RHS 44D; apex is white, nearest to RHS NN155D. Mature bract             color, upper surface — Red, nearest to RHS 44A, and fading             lighter towards the base, nearest to RHS 44C. Mature bract             color, lower surface — Red, nearest to RHS 44A; apex is             greyed-purple, nearest to RHS N186C. Venation — No venation             is visible. -   Reproductive organs:     -   -   Stamens.—Quantity — 6, on average. Anthers — Shape —             Dorsifixed; linear. Dimensions — Average of 0.4 cm long and             0.075 cm wide. Color — Greyed-brown, nearest to RHS N199A.             Filaments — Length — 0.2 cm, on average. Color — White,             nearest to RHS 155A. Pollen — Abundance — Moderately             abundant. Color — Yellow-white, nearest to in between RHS             158B and 158C.         -   Pistil.—Quantity — 1. Length — 0.6 cm. Style — Length —             0.5 cm. Color — Greyed-brown, nearest to RHS N199B. Stigma —             Shape — Club-shaped. Dimensions — Average of 0.1 cm long and             0.1 cm wide. Color — Greyed-brown, nearest to RHS N199B.             Ovary color — Brown, nearest to in between RHS 200C and             200D. -   Fruit and seed: To date, not observed.

COMPARISONS WITH THE PARENT PLANT

Plants of the new cultivar ‘DURAPRI’ differ from its seed parent, Guzmania lingulata ‘Fortuna’ (not patented), by the characteristics described in Chart 1.

CHART 1 Characteristic ‘DURAPRI’ ‘Fortuna’ Length of foliage. Short. Long. Peduncle length. Shorter than ‘Fortuna’. Longer than ‘DURAPRI’ General profile of the Rounded. Flat. inflorescence.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘DURAPRI’ differ from its pollen parent, an unnamed miniature form of Guzmania lingulata ‘El Cope’ (not patented), by the characteristics described in Chart 2.

CHART 2 Characteristic ‘DURAPRI’ The pollen parent. Inflorescence attitude. Erect. Not as upright as ‘DURAPRI’. Length of foliage. Short. Long. Inflorescence height. Short; compact. Tall; elongated.

COMPARISON WITH THE MOST SIMILAR GUZMANIA CULTIVAR KNOWN TO THE INVENTOR

‘DURAPRI’ is similar in many horticultural characteristics to the commercial cultivar Guzmania ‘DURAREV’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 24,996). However ‘DURAPRI’ differs from ‘DURAREV’ by the characteristics described in Chart 3.

CHART 3 Characteristic ‘DURAPRI’ ‘DURAREV’ General profile of the Rounded. Flat. inflorescence. General coloration of the White. Red. floral bract tip. 

That which is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Guzmania plant named ‘DURAPRI’, substantially as described and illustrated herein. 